Knitting apparatus



9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3, 1962 u will-VIII? V IIIII IIIIII INVENTORKARL HABERHAUER W,

AT TORNEYS Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER KNITTING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Oct. 5, 1962 Fig. 5

INVENTOR.

KARL HABERHAUER ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER 3,164,975

KNITTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. KARLHABERHAUER j w w A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1965 v K. HABERHAUER 3,164,975

KNITTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3, 1962 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 6

I i 1 20 E. 5 I II /F:::: 40' 1 4 44 2 ll 2 INVENTOR. 40 45 KARLHABERHAUER ATTORNEYS.

Jan- 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER 3,164,975

KNITTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3, 1962 9 sneets-sheefs 33 34 I I V7 4/ F4INVENTOR. KARL HABERHAUER ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER I KNITTING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed001,. 5, 1962 INVENTOR. KARL HABERHAUER ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER 7 3,164,975

KNITTING APPARATUS Filed on. :s. 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTQR. KARLHABERHAUER BY x47; M

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER 7 KNITTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1962 9Sheets-Sheet 8 L r I 3 rammgg -mmm B '1 IIIII4'IOZ 'II MIIIA 'IIIIIIINVENTOR. KARL HA BE RHAUE' R )X(/% ATTORNEYS. 4

Jan. 12, 1965 K. HABERHAUER KNITTING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FiledOct. 3, 1962 INVENTOR. K ARL HABERHAUER A T TORNE Y$ United StatesPatent f 3,164,975 KNITTING APPARATUS Karl flabe hauer, Ingolstadt,Germany, assignor to Schubert Salyer MaschinenfahrikAlrtiengeseilschat't, Ingoistadt Klonau, Germany, a German corporationFiled Get. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 228,950 Qlaims priority, applicationGermany Get. 7, 1961 36 Ciaims. (Ci. 66-445) The invention relates to anapparatus for severing and holding threads in circular knitting machinesduring the thread changeover and for severing and holding reinforcementthreads at the edge of the reinforcement.

In the manufacture of womens hosiery with reinforced heels and soles oncircular knitting machines, reinforcement threads are left lying looselyon the unreinforced part of the foot and have to be removed in anadditional operation after the knitting has been completed. The clippingof these reinforcement threads is usually performed by hand, andsignifies an important item of cost in the production of hosiery.Particularly in the case of circular knitting machines using any ofseveral systems whereby the foot portion is made entirely by circularknitting, so that production time is greatly reduced, these handfinishing operations demand a relatively large amount of time.Furthermore, the hand trimming of the sole threads creates the danger ofdamage to the stockings.

Several apparatus have already become known which clip the reinforcementthread during the knitting operation. These devices are supposed toeliminate the separate operation of clipping the threads, but they havenot yet succeeded in trimming these threads so quickly and so closely tothe edge of the reinforcement that further hand trimming of the stockingis not required after the knitting operation is completed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide means forovercoming the disadvantages of prior art devices as are discussedabove. The manner in which this object is attained will be apparent fromthe following description taken in reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the dial cap of a circular knitting machine with theclipping device of the invention, in a perspective view;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows how the severing device is disposed in relation to the knitloop forming parts, when in the lower cutting position for severingreinforcing threads;

FIG. 5 shows the system of FIG. 4 in the upper cutting position forsevering threads during thread changes;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the eccentric disposition of the cutter inrelation to the needle cylinder;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplificatory construction of the severing knife witha portion of the cutting edge at an angle;

FIG. 7a shows an alternative cutter construction;

FIG. 8 shows in elevation the grasping device and the clamp with thethread holding and sucking device;

FIG. 9 shows how the holding device is driven;

FIGS. 10 to 13 show the severing action on a twosystem circular knittingmachine when inserting and withdrawing the reinforcing threads;

3,164,975 Fatented Jan. 12, P965 ice FIG. 14 shows a modifiedconstruction of the severing element in the lower cutting position forsevering reinforcing threads;

FIG. 15 shows a modified construction of the clamp;

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the clamping device in section;

FIG. 17 shows the clamping area and the manner in which the threads areguided in a clamp as represented in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 represents another embodiment of the clamping device of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 19 and 19a are schematic representations of various possibilitiesfor the arrangement of the clamping device according to the invention;

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a clamping device.

In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters,indicate corresponding parts.

The invention provides apparatus for knitting comprising an array ofknitting needles for working thread into knit fabric, and means forsevering an extension of the thread from a knitting needle and the knitfabric. The severing means includes a holder for the thread extension,and the holder is spaced from the needles. Thus, the thread extensioncan be held at spaced points by a needle and the holder. Means areprovided for moving the needle array relative to the holder so that thethread extension between said spaced points can be moved relative to theholder. A cutter is disposed between the needles and the holder forcutting the thread extensions intermediate said spaced points. Theapparatus is characterized in that the holder comprises a first clampingmember disposed in the path of the thread as the thread moves inresponse to movement of the needle array, and said first clamping memberincludes gripping means for gripping the thread when the thread in itspath crosses the first clamping member; the holder further includes asecond clamping member for cooperating with the first clamping member toengage the thread in the holder. Means are provided for moving the firstclamping member to carry thread gripped by its gripping means intoengagement by the first and second clamping members. Thus, the threadcan be held at spaced points by a needle and the holder for the cuttingof the thread between said points by the cutter.

Advantageously, the cutter is positioned to cut the thread between thepoints at which the thread is held by, on the one hand, a needle, and,on the other hand, the holder, when the thread is held taut in responseto the relative movement of the holder and the needle array.

The invention is particularly well suited for use in respect to circularknitting machines, for such machines, the holder can be mounted on thedial cap. In such an embodiment, the holder is disposed inwardly of theneedles, and while such an arrangement is preferred, if desired, theholder could be disposed outwardly of the needles (see FIG. 19 and FIG.19a).

The invention finds particular application in circular knitting machineswhich include means for knitting over but a portion of the circumferenceof the circular fabric being knitted. For example, the invention findsparticular application where reinforcement threads are knitted into aportion of the material being knit. In such applications, thread iswithdrawn from a thread guide and knitted into a portion of thecircumference of the fabric, and

thread extensions from either or both ends of the reinforced portion canbe severed according to the invention. Further, apparatus according tothe invention is well suited for the cutting of thread extensions fromreinforced portions which are knit into the fabric from two or morethread feeding stations. In such operations, so cording to theinvention, it is necessary to utilize out a single holding and cuttingmeans.

Various embodiments of the invention are depicted the accompanyingdrawings. These embodiments are of the type here discussed wherein acircular knitting machine is employed and a reinforcement portion isknit into the fabric from threads withdrawn from two thread feedingstations.

In FIG. 1 there is a perspective elevation of the dial cap plate withthe mounting boss ill and the thread guides 31 and 32 of System I and 33and 34 of System II of a circular knitting machine for the manufactureof seamless womens hosiery, equipped with a thread holder nc udingclamping members and further equipped with a thread severing device.

A first clamping member in the form of crown wheel 49 is set into arecess 43 in dial cap 1, said wheel being provided with thread engagingmeans in the form of catching teeth 40. As a second clamping member,there is provided a thread suction tube 24% disposed above crown wheel40 and having a resilient engaging shoe 22 inserted at its lowermarginal surface and resting against the rotating crown Wheel 4%). Inthe thread suction tube 25?, which for the sake of clarity is shown inthe elevated position in FIG. 1, there is a guiding pin 22 for guidingthe end portion of the thread. The thread suction 2d simultaneouslyserves as a holding device for free end portions which, after leavingclamp 21, are held in a known manner by the current of air.

On the dial disc plate 1 there is fastened a hold-down clip 24 forholding down the threads fed by the thread guide 31 of System I, andleaf spring 23 for tensing the threads fed to the holder composed of theclamping members 4t and 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

As mentioned above, an advantage of the apparatus of .the invention isthat the severing means can be used to sever thread extensions resultingfrom the knitting-in of threads from two or more thread supplyingstations. A feature of the invention is the provision of a hold-downclip such as clip 24 which is described above. The path of each threadextension to the holding means composed of the clamping members, as isdetermined by the move ment of the needles, must be such thatentanglement of the thread extensions is not a problem with respect tothread feeding stations adjacent the holding means, yet for stationsremote from the holding means, provision must be made to prevententanglement. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the hold-down clip24 is provided for the thread extension of thread knit from the threadguide St at Station I, which station is remote from the holder along thepath of the thread.

In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the drive of the holder is shown in detail. Thecrown wheel 40 is fastened by rivets 45 (FIG. 1) to a gear 45. Gear 45is placed on a stub shaft '44 which is fastened to the underside of dialcap 1, and

is driven by an internal gear 2 (FIG. 9) fastened to the dial 1. Withcrown wheel 46 there is associated a severing element 50 (FIG. 8) whichsevers the thread tensed b tween clamp 21 and crown wheel as, on the onehand, and a needle 3 of the needle ring on the other, as shown in FIGS.1 and 8.

The severing element is in the form of a knife, for example, the cuttingblade 5t), which is fastened to the blade holder 69, entering into thenarrow gap between dial cap 1 and the needle cylinder 3:: with needles 3(FIG. 4). The cutting blade holder 68 is pivoted on a carrier 66 bymeans of a pin 65. A compression spring 67 urges the cutting bladeholder upwards against lever 7i) equipped with adjusting screw '72. Thelever 7G is pivoted about a pin 7ft fastentcd to the frame of themachine, and is connected through adjusting screw '7 to the push rod'73. The bottom end of push rod 73 senses a section of pattern drum andis actuated by the cam lobe 8i when pattern drum 8) is adjusted to bringthis about. When the push rod 73 is lifted by cam lobe hi, the bladeholder is forced downward against the pressure of spring as. The cuttingblade dd between the needles and the dial can then be brought into alower cutting position (FIG. 4) and into an upper cutting position (PEG.5).

It wi l be noted that an important part of the apparatus according tothe invention is the holding means. As is indicated in the drawings, thefirst clamping member of the holder can be a rotatably mounted crownwheel or rotatabiy mounted disc of other form provided with a toothedarea for engaging of the thread. The second clamping member is forcooperation with the first clamping member and can include means mountedon the end of a suction tube for engaging a portion of the toothed area.Desirably, the part of the second clamping member which engages thefirst clamping member covers but a portion of the toothed area of thefirst clamping member so that a portion of said toothed area remainsexposed, and there is provided a way aiong which the thread may enterover the toothed area for the engagement thereof by the first clampingmember. Whereas various means can be employed to provide the desiredengagement between the clamping members and the desired entrance way forthe thread, a preferred arrangement is where the second clamping memberis disposed at an angle to the first clamping member so that, on the onehand, the desired engagement of the clamping members is obtained, while,on the other hand, a portion of the toothed area of the first clampingmember is left exposed so that an entrance way to the holder isprovided.

In FIGS. 10 to 13, the severin of a reinforcement thread at the marginof the reinforcement and the manner of operation of the individual partsof the thread severing device are shown in various stages. In FIG. 10,the reinforcement sector is designated by the thread entry point B andthe exit point A. While the two basic threads F2 and P t of the threadguides 32 and 34 are being inserted in both Systems I and II, and thereinforcing thread Ff of System I has already been inserted by thethread guide 31 and is being knit into the fabric in section EA. Insuction tube 2t: of the thread holding device, the end of the alreadyinserted reinforcement thread F1 and the end of the reinforcing threadF3 of System II (which has not yet been inserted) are held by theaspirated air stream.

In FIG. 11, the reinforcement sector E-A has rotated further with theneedle cylinder, so that now the entry point E is just approaching thesevering knife 5%. in the movement from the position shown in FIG. 10 tothe position shown in FIG. 11: knitting of reinforcement thread F1 insection E-A has been completed so that reinforcement thread F1 is drawnfrom Station I by entrance point A in section E-A; and knitting ofreinforcement thread at Station II has commenced and is in progress.Prom entry point E, free end portions of reinforcement threads PI and F3extend to under the leaf spring 23 and on to within suction tube 2%.These thread end portions are to be cut off. in this position, theportions of the threads F1 and F3 between point E and leaf spring 23,which have been lifted by needles 3 above the ribbed-disc cap 1, arebrought within the reach of crown wheel 49 and are caught by the teeth4% thereof. The leaf spring 23 is disposed adjacent and ahead of thecrown wheel, said leaf spring pressing the threads that slip under itagainst the dial cap 1 and thus working on these threads as a brake, toaugment the operation of the crown wheel id. The leaf spring 23 servesto provide a gripping of the thread, for restraining the threads againstthe action of the holder and eventually release of the thread inresponse to action of the holder.

In this manner, the threads are momentarily pulled taut, so that thethreads more perfectly engage the teeth 40 of the crown wheel 40.

Since the point A has already moved past System I, the reinforcementthread F1 is not being knit and is pulled from the thread guide 31 overthe dial cap 1 at the point A, as point A moves along its course,whereupon thread F1 comes to lie under clip 24 and is held down by thelatter.

FIG. 12 shows the parts but a moment after occupancy of the positionshown in FIG. 11 and shows the severing action at the point of entry E.The end portions of threads F1 and F3 extending from point E are carriedthrough under the knife 50. Since both these threads, however have beenengaged by the crown wheel 40, they are pulled by the latter underneaththe clamp shoe 21 which presses elastically against said crown wheel 40.At the same time, the threads are pulled away from under the leaf spring23. The threads are then held between clamp 21 holders composed ofmembers 21 and 4t), and the needle 3 at point of entry E, and are pulledtaut, since the point at which the thread is held by the holder and thepoint of entry are moving apart. The taut sections of the threads arecarried along to the severing element 50 and the threads are cut. Crownwheel 40 continues to revolve under the clamp shoe 21, with its teeth40' carrying along the severed thread ends, and the latter pass out ofthe range of the clamp shoe 21, whereupon they are released fromclamping action. The cut off end portions are then sucked away bysuction tube 20.

It has proven to be important that this action of pulling the threadtaut and the action of severing it against the cutting edge must beperformed at precisely the same moment, for otherwise reliable severanceis not assured. This is, however, accomplished by the cooperation of theholder, needles, and severing element according to the invention.

FIG. 13 shows the cutting off of the reinforcing threads F1 and F3 atthe other end of the reinforced section, namely at point A. The sectionEA has advanced further along its course. The severing action is thesame as it was at the point of entry E. In FIG. 13, the reinforcingthreads F1 and F3 extend from the thread guides over the dial cap andhave already been pulled past the leaf spring 23 and underneath clampshoe 21 by crown wheel 40. The threads are pulled taut and severed, and

after the ends have been released from clamp shoe 21, they remainconnected to Station I and II and are sucked into the suction tube 29,so that they dangle in the air stream. To prevent the tangling of thethread ends contained in suction tube 20 by the crown wheel, a guidingpin 22 is placed in the mouth of the suction tube, at which the threadsare held back. Furthermore, the crown wheel 40 is overlapped by a shield41 (FIG. 1) so that the inserted threads cannot be grasped prematurelyby the crown wheel 40.

It is the way in which the severing elements is arranged whichdetermines at what distance from the goods the threads are severed. Inthe case of reinforcing threads, it is desirable that the thread endsremaining on the goods be as short as possible. The severing element istherefore swung into a lower cutting position (FIG. 4) between the dialand the needle cylinder containing needles 3, so that the severance isperformed very close to the goods, which are held back by the knockoverbits 7.

In FIG. 5, the cutter or severing element St} has been swung into itsupper cutting position, so that longer thread ends are left on thegoods. This is desirable in the case of the thread change, so that thethread ends will not pull in when the mesh is stretched and release thenewly inserted thread, resulting in laddering. Movement of the cutterbetween the upper and lower positions is described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

Furthermore, it is necessary during the action of the transfer bits 5for the formation of the welt, to withdraw the severing element out ofreach of the transfer bit and into an upper cutting position between thedial cap and needles 3. The movement into the upper cutting position canbe performed by pivoting or displacement. However, it has provenadvantageous for the cutting angle between thread and knife for thismovement to be in the direction of the dial cap 1, so that the cuttingedge of knife 50 is directed toward the dial cap.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the severing element in the form of abent razor blade 51), which is lowered between the needles and the dialcap 1. In order to augment the cutting action of this stationary freeblade 50, the arc of the razor blade is eccentric to the needle cylinderand to the dial cap.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the severing knife 50, making use ofordinary razor blades. By the use of an additional blade, a notch orangled cutting edge portion 53 is obtained, which augments the cuttingability of the severing device.

FIG. 7a shows a cutter in the form of an electrically heated element53a, which provides the severing by burning the thread.

Another embodiment of the severing element is shown in FIG. 14. Insteadof a rigid blade 54), a cutting disc 50 revolving at high speed isprovided. The disc is driven by an electric motor 100 through frictionwheels 1111 and 192. The electric motor 100 and the cutting disc 50',which is fastened on a shaft 105, are coupled together by an arm 193,and they can be pivoted together in the same manner as in the case ofthe knife blade 50.

In order to be able to cut the connecting thread between the end of thefinished stocking and the beginning of a new stocking after the severingdevice 50 or 50' has been lifted (FIG. 5), an auxiliary knife (FIG. 1)can be provided on the dial cap. This extra knife has proven handy forthe reliable severance of the so-called starting threads.

FIG. 15 shows a modified construction of the holder. On a slantingsuction tube 20' there is fastened, instead of the clamp shoe 21, arubber, plastic or other tire or ring 21' which is mounted on a ballbearing 25 and is driven by the crown wheel 40, since it rests againstthe latter. The thread seized by crown wheel 40 is then clamped betweenthe ring 21' and the crown wheel as it passes through. In order toincrease the clamping effect of this device and prolonging the clampingof the thread over a larger period of time, it is necessary to enlargethe clamping area. This can be achieved by the fact that the tworotating parts of the clamp, which are constituted in FIG. 15 by thering 21' and the crown wheel 40, are developed so that they contact oneanother on a spherical contact area. Such construction is shown in FIG.16.

In FIG. 16 the clamp includes the catch wheel 400 with teeth 4%. Thisforms the bottom part of the clamp, and the catch wheel has the shape ofa sphere with the radius R where it comes into contact with the upperpart of the clamp.

The upper part 211 of the clamp is likewise in the shape of a spherewith the radius R, being in fact a segment of a sphere, so that thebottom part 460 of the clamp and the upper part 211 of the clamp meet ata common area K which represents a portion of the mantle of the spherewith the radius R. The axes of rotation A and B of the two clamp parts400 and 211 intersect at the center M of the sphere. The axis ofrotation B of the upper clamp part 211 is so inclined that asufficiently large opening X is created between the two parts of theclamp on the side on which the thread F approaches it. This provides anentrance way for the threads to the holder. The upper clamp part 211 ismounted by means of a ball bearing 250 on a hollow shaft 202 and iscovered with a cap 203. The entire upper clamp head is fastened by meansof a bracket 204 to the dial cap 1. In order to achieve a goodclampone-" ore ing action, a spring 265 urges the upper clamp part 2Hagainst the lower clamp part 443i and provides a resilient mounting. Thehollow shaft 282 is mounted displaceaoly in cap 2%, the spring travelbeing limited by a screw 2&7 sliding in an axial groove.

In order that the two clamp parts 211 and 4% may always contact oneanother at their clamping surfaces, the suspension represented in FIG.may be chosen for the upper clamp part, in addition to the onerepresented in FIG. 16. In this case, cap 2d?) of the upper clamp partis pivoted at joint 213 on the holder 2&4 rigidly mounted on the dialcap 1. The spring 255 shown in FIG. 16 can then be eliminated.

FIG. 17 shows the planar projection of the clamping area K in a topview, said area being both the contact and the rolling area of the twospherical clamp parts 4%! and 211. The severing element St is disposedin the immediate vicinity of needles 3.

The operation of the clamping device according to FIG. E6 is based onthe fact that the thread F, which runs from the thread guide to theneedles 3 is pulled along by the latter due to their rotation and drawnover the dial cap 1. In the position F in FIG. 17, the thread has notyet reached the area of actionof the thread clamp. Not until it is inposition F is the thread seized by the teeth 4% of the catch wheel 4%,which simultaneously forms the bottom part of the clamp, and carriedalong by said teeth, thus reaching the contact area K between the twoclamp parts 409 and 211. Since the thread is being entrained, on the onehand, by the catch wheel 4% in the direction of the arrow P, and isbeing held fast on the clamping surface K, and on the other hand is alsobeing carried by the needles 3 in the direction of the needle cylinderrotation Z, a gradual tensing of the thread results, as is shown inPositions F and P In this tensed state the thread comes within range ofknife 56 and is severed in the immediate vicinity of the needles 3(Position F so that only very short thread ends are left on thestocking. As it has developed in practice, an extremely precise clampingis necessary at the time when the thread F is passing through PositionsF to F in order to achieve a reliable severance along with a uniformlength of the thread ends left on the goods. Due to the fact that thetwo clamp parts 400 and 2H roll on a surface K, a good clamping effectis achieved throughout this area K, on the one hand, and, on the otherhand, a perfect entrainment of the thread is achieved without manglingit. The effect of teeth 46%) supports the entrainment and assures aprecise and taut stretching of the thread F in the reach of knife 50. Inthis manner, it is possible to increase the edge life of cutter 50, evenwhen thicker and less sharp blades are used, and to achieve a greaterreliability of the severing action.

Owing to the fact that the spherical clamping surface K runs crosswiseto the direction of the thread, the thread is bent at an angle in theclamping action, giving further support to the clamping action. Tobetter entrain the thread F, the margin of the upper clamp part can beprovided with notches or teeth tila. FIG. 18 shows another clampingdevice in which the bottom clamp part 410 has a convex spherical surfacewithin the catch wheel 410, while the upper clamp part 211' has aconcave spherical surface. The upper clamp part 211' is urged againstthe bottom clamp part 410 by means of a spiral spring 295' instead ofthe spring washers 2 95 (FIG. 16). As shown also in FIG. 16, the dialcap 1 is superelevated at the side where thread F enters so that threadF cannot be caught on this side by the teeth 4-10 of the catch Wheel,and thus lies diametrically over the catch wheel during the clampingaction (FIG. 17). The thread ends released from the clamping deviceafter the severance are then sucked away through the upper clamp part bya suction tube or hose 201 which is drawn over the hollow shaft 262' oris held by the aspirated air stream working in the direction of arrow S.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 1%, the clamping device 4% according to theinvention can be disposed either inside of our outside of the circle ofneedles 3. in FIG. 19, as in the embodiments described above, theclamping device is on the inside, whereas in FIG. 19a, it is on theoutside. One or" the two clamp parts can be made of an elastic substancesuch as polyamide or other plastic. in order to assure an intimatecontact between the two clamp parts, even while the thread F is betweenthem.

As is indicated in the drawings, in H6. 16, the clamp part 221 can beprovided with notches til'a, and, in FIG. 18, clamp part 211' and 4M)can be provided respectively with notches tl'a and idb. Such additionalnotches can provide improved clamping.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus for knitting comprising an array of knitting needles forworking thread into knit fabric, means for severing an extension of thethread from a knitting needle and the knit fabric, said severing meansincluding a holder for the thread extension, said holder being spacedfrom said needles, whereby the thread extension can be held at spacedpoints by a needle and the holder, means for moving the needle arrayrelative to the holder whereby the thread extension between said spacedpoints can be moved relative to the holder, and a cutter disposedbetween the needles and the holder for cutting the thread extensionintermediate said spaced points, the improvement in the holder whichcomprises a first clamping member disposed in the path of the thread asit moves in response to movement of the needle array, said firstclamping member including engaging means for engaging the thread whenthe thread in its path crosses the first clamping means, a secondclamping member for cooperating with the first clamping member to engagethe thread in the holding means, means moving said first clamping memberto carry thread engaged by its engaging 1 cans into engagement by thefirst and second clamping members, whereby the thread can be held atspaced points by a needle and the holder for cutting of the threadbetween said points by the cutter.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, said cutter being adapted to cut thethread between said spaced points when the thread is drawn taut inresponse to relative movement of the holding means and needle array.

3. in circular knitting apparatus comprising a cylinder having knittingneedles operatively mounted thereon for the working of thread intocircular knit fabric, means for severing an extension of thread from aknitting needle and the knit fabric, said severing means including aholder for the thread extension, said holder being spaced from saidneedles, whereby the thread extension can be held at spaced points by aneedle and the holder, means for r0 tating the cylinder relative to theholder whereby the thread extension between said spaced points can bemoved relative to the holder, and a cutter disposed between the needlesand the holder for cutting the thread extension intermediate said spacedpoints, the improvement in the holder which comprises a first clampingmember disposed in the path of the thread as it moves in response tomovement of the cylinder, said first clamping member including engagingmeans for engaging the thread when the thread in its path crosses thefirst clamping member, a second clamping member for cooperating with thefirst clamping member to engage the thread in the holding means, meansmoving said first clamping member to carry thread engaged by itsengaging means into engagement by the first and second clamping members,whereby the thread can be held at spaced points by a needle mounted onthe cylinder and the holder for the cutting of the thread between saidspaced points by the cutter.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, said cutter being adapted to cut thethread between said spaced points when the thread is taut in response torelative movement of the holding means and the cylinder.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, said holder being positioned inwardlyof said needles.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, and including a thread guide, meansfor knitting thread from said guide over but a portion of thecircumference of the fabric being knit, said severing means beingpositioned for severing thread extensions from and knit into saidportion.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, and including two thread guidesdisposed at spaced points about the circumference of the cylinder, meansfor knitting thread drawn from each of the thread guides into the fabricbeing knit over but a portion of the circumference of the fabric, saidsevering means being positioned to sever extensions of thread knit intosaid portion and drawn from said thread guides.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, and including a dial cap for thecylinder, said thread guides being disposed for feeding thread to needlehooks adjacent the periphery of the dial cap and being fixedlypositioned with respect to the holder, the said path of the thread fromeach of said thread guides being in the same direction, a hold-down clipfor the thread extension of thread knit from the thread guide remotefrom the holder along the paths of the thread.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3, and including means disposed adjacentthe holder along the path of thread to the holder for gripping thethread and releasing it in response to the action of the holder thereon.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, and including a restraining meansmounted on the dial cap adjacent the holder in the paths of thread tothe holder for gripping of thread moving along the paths and releasingthe same in response to the action of the holder thereon.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3, said holder including means forapplying suction to loose thread ends being worked by the holder.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, said suction means including aconduit having an open end disposed for receiving said loose thread endsand adapted for application of suction thereto, a pin projectingradially inwardly from the wall of said conduit adjacent the opened endthereof.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3, the second clamping member of theholder comprising a suction conduit having an open end portion forreceiving loose thread ends being worked by the holder and forapplication of suction to said loose thread ends, and means mounted onsaid end of the conduit for the cooperating of said first and secondclamping means as aforesaid.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, said means mounted on the end ofthe conduit comprising a resilient shoe pressing against said firstclamping member.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, said first clamping member beingrotatably mounted, said means of the second clamping member mounted onthe end of the conduit including a tire rotatably mounted on said end ofthe conduit, said tire being in running contact with said first clampingmember.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, said first clamping member beingrotatably mounted and having a toothed area providing the engaging meansthereof, the means mounted on the end of the conduit of the secondclamping member being disposed at an angle with respect to the firstclamping member and engaging only a portion of the toothed area of thefirst clamping member leaving a portion of said toothed area spaced fromsaid means, whereby an entrance way to the holder between the first andsecond clamping means thereof is provided.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13, and including a dial cap for thecircular knitting machine, said first clamping member of the holderbeing disposed in a recess in the dial cap;

18. Apparatus according to claim 13, and including a dial cap for theknitting machine, said first clamping member being rotatably mounted onthe dial cap and having a toothed area for providing the said engagingmeans thereof, said means mounted on the end of the conduit of thesecond clamping member being disposed at an angle to the first clampingmember and engaging but a portion of said toothed area of the firstclamping member leaving a portion of said toothed area spaced from saidmeans for entrance of thread to the holder, said first clamping memberbeing rotatably mounted in a recess in said dial cap so that the toothedarea thereof is disposed below the level of the dial cap, and a shieldplate partially covering the toothed area in the entrance way to theholder whole leaving a portion of the toothed area in the entrance wayexposed for gripping threads.

19. Apparatus according to claim 3, the holder being positioned inwardlyof the needles, the cylinder of the machine being rotatably mounted, andmeans for rotating the first clamping member of the holding means in thedirection of rotation of the cylinder.

20. Apparatus according to claim 3, the severing means comprising aknife of curved form, the curve of the knife generally following thecurve of the cylinder.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, the knife being disposedeccentrically with respect to the cylinder.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20, the knife edge including a notchdisposed for cutting action.

23. Apparatus according to claim 3, said cutter comprising a rotatingcutting disc.

24. Apparatus according to claim 3, said cutter comprising a burner.

25. Apparatus according to claim 3, and including a dial cap for thecircular knitting machine, said cutter being interposed between the dialcap and the cylinder, said cutter being movable from a lower cuttingposition and an upper cutting position, whereby cutting of the cutter asaforesaid can be performed in either of said positions and while in saidupper position, thread change-over can be effected.

26. Apparatus according to claim 3, said apparatus including a dial capfor the knitting machine, said cutter being interposed between the dialcap and the cylinder and being movable between a lower position in whichit is disposed for cutting as aforesaid and an upper position in whichit is also disposed for cutting as aforesaid, whereby the cutter may bemoved to said upper position to permit thread change, the cutter in saidupper position being directed towards the dial cap.

27. Apparatus according to claim 3, and including an auxiliary cutterfor cutting starting threads.

28. Apparatus according to claim 3, said first clamping member beingrotatably mounted and having a toothed area for the engaging of threadworked by the holder, said second clamping member engaging the firstclamping member over only a portion of the toothed area thereof forcooperating with the first clamping member to effect engagement of thethread by the holder, said second clamping member being disposed at anangle to the first clamping member leaving a portion of said toothedarea exposed for engaging threads as aforesaid and providing an entranceway for the thread to the holder, said first and second clamping memberscontacting each other over an area having the contour of a portion of asphere.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, and including means for rotatingsaid first clamping member, that part of the second clamping memberwhich engages the first clamping member being free to rotate in responseto the engagement thereof by the first clamping member.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, and including means urging the saidpart of the second clamping member into engagement with the firstclamping member.

31. Apparatus according to claim 28, and including means for driving oneof the said holder clamping members.

32. Apparatus according to claim 28, the engaging surface of one of thesaid holder clamping members being of resilient material.

ale-awe 1 i 33. Apparatus according to claim 32, the engaging surface ofthe other of said holding members being metal.

34. Apparatus according to claim 28, the engaging surface of each of thesaid clamping members being toothed. 35. Apparatus accordingto claim 28,and including a dial cap for the knitting machine, said first clamping'member being disposed in a recess in the dial cap, the

engaging surface of said first clamping member being concave, and theengaging surface of the second clamping member being convex.

36. Apparatus according to claim 28, and including a cap plate for theknitting machine, said first clamping member being disposed in a recessin the dial cap, the

i2 engaging surface of the first clamping member being convex and theengaging surface of the second clamping member being concave.

Reierenees {,ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,945,971 Gagne M Feb. 6, 1934 2,893,229 Haddad July 7, 1959 2,952,148Rather Sept. 13, 1960 3,040,549 Peel June 26, 1962 3,075,374 St. PierreJan. 29, 1963 3,079,779 Butler et a1. Nov. 5, 1963 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,164,975 January 12, 1965Karl Haberhauer It is hereby certified that error appears in the abovenumbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patentshould read a corrected below.

In the grant, lines 2' and 12, and in the heading to the printedspecification, line 4, for "Schubert G Saly er MaschinenfabrikAktiengesellschaft,", each occurrence, read Schubert G SalzerMaschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft, column 5, line 20, strike out "clamp21"; line 57, for "elements' read element column 9, line 4, for "saidguide" read said thread guide column 10, line 12, for "whole" read whilecolumn 11, line 12, for "cap plate" read dial cap Signed and sealed this22nd day ofJune 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN APPARATUS FOR KNITING COMPRIISNG AN ARRAY OF KNITTING NEEDLES FORWORKING THREADF INTO KNIT FABRIC, MEANS FOR SEVERING AN EXTENSION OF THETHREAD FROM A KNITTING NEEDLE AND THE KNIT FABRIC, SAID SEVERING MEANSINCLUDING A HOLDER FOR THE THREAD EXTENSION, SAID HOLDER BEING SPACEDFROM SAID NEEDLES, WHEREBY THE THREAD EXTENSION CAN BE HELD AT SPACEDPOINTS BY A NEEDLE AND THE HOLDER, MEANS FOR MOVING THE NEEDLE ARRAYRELATIVE TO THE HOLDER WHEREBY THE THREAD EXTENSION BETWEEN SAID SPACEDPOINTS CAN BE MOVED RELATIVE TO THE HOLDER, AND A CUTTER DISPOSED BETWENTHE NEEDLES AND THE HOLDER FOR CUTTING THE THREAD EXTENSION INTERMEDIATESAID SPACED POINT, THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE HOLDER WHICH COMPRISES A FIRSTCLAMPING MEMBER DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF THE THREAD AS IT MOVE INRESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE NEEDLE ARRAY, SAID FIRST CLAMPING MEMBERINCLUDING ENGAGING MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE THREAD WHEN THE THREAD IN ITSPATH CROSSES THE FIRST CLAMPING MEANS, A SECOND CLAMPING MEMBER FORCOOPERATING WITH THE FIRST CLAMPING MEMBER TO ENGAGE THE THREAD IN THEHOLDING MEANS, MENS MOVING SAID FIRST CLAMPING MEMBER TO CARRY THREADENGAGED BY ITS ENGAGING MEANS INTO ENGAGEMENT BY THE FIRST AND SECONDCLAMPING MEMBERS, WHEREBY THE THREAD CAN BE HELD AT SPACED POINTS BY ANEEDLE AND THE HOLDER FOR CUTTING OF THE THREAD BETWEEN SAID POINTS BYTHE CUTTER.